The call comes as a new ban preventing passengers from bringing e-scooters on public transport came into effect this week.
“This new ban is a major disruption for commuters who depend on e-scooters to get to their nearest train station,” Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee said.
“Without a safe place to store their scooters, many people will face additional challenges in accessing public transport. Irish Rail needs to provide secure storage at key stations.
“We need to support sustainable transport solutions and reduce the number of cars on our roads.
“E-scooters are an environmentally friendly option, and we should be doing everything we can to encourage their use – not make it more difficult.
“Installing storage facilities at stations would be a simple and effective way to help commuters transition smoothly, without losing the convenience they’ve come to rely on.
“Our public transport network is crucial to reducing emissions and traffic in our towns and cities.
“E-scooters play an important role in making that system work more effectively. Irish Rail must take immediate action to ensure commuters can continue to access their services in a sustainable way,” she added.
Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee has called for storage facilities
Senator Clifford-Lee, a general election candidate for Dublin Fingal West, said the ban has left “many commuters stranded”.
The ban was implemented by the National Transport Authority (NTA) over safety concerns, and applies to buses, trains, and Luas trams.
It includes e-scooters that can be folded or carried, but does not apply to e-bikes or mobility scooters.
Announcing the ban in August, the NTA said it was due to the risk of fire posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are common in such devices.
The NTA said that, due to the newness of e-scooters, the quality control is not as mature or well-developed as that of e-bikes and mobility scooters, which have been regulated for longer.
“The guidance is prompted by safety concerns in relation to many lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are known to develop internal faults, leading to overheating and combustion,” the NTA said.
Until very recently, there were no technical standards for e-scooters in Ireland, and with a wide variety of e-scooters available or already purchased, many are unlikely to meet the standards required under new regulations.
Similar restrictions are already in place in Berlin, Barcelona and the UK.
Irish Rail has been contacted for comment.
